Does the Bible say the Earth is flat?@BruceAlderman Also it's pretty clear from the OP's explanation (never mind the site they posted on) that they were looking for contextually-sensitive exegesis. Out of curiosity, did you actually read the entire question and my entire response?

Jun28

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Does the Bible say the Earth is flat?@BruceAlderman Thank you for that unsubstantiated assertion... Regarding Jesus' statement about the smallest seed in the garden, please post a separate question. I can't chase tangents in the comments.

Jun28

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How to separate exegesis from eisegesis in this example?@e.s.kohen Haha... True, I took it as a given that he read the text. Of course I did so because I know Mike & had a good idea what he was driving at with his question... which is an important part of exegesis. So maybe we could at least agree that I attempted exegesis? Mike's response would seem to indicate my assumption was correct and so I'd argue on that basis that I successfully attempted exegesis, and therefore I think it's safe to say I did exegesis. Thanks for the brain twister though!

Qualifications for deacons and pastors in 1 Timothy 3:1-12@RalphM.Rickenbach That is a common assumption made by many modern Western Protestants. As to whether Scripture agrees, that is debated. Personally I think not; Shepherd is a gift, like Prophet or Apostle, determined solely by the will of God, irrespective of character. Elder, in contrast, is an office, to be sought after, based on character and experience -- not gifting. Totally different on all three counts. (Caveat being that Elders have to do some "shepherding", just as fathers do, whether they're gifted as a Shepherd or not.)